Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2006
143 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is in order for a €45 charge to be applied to a medical card holder for an eye test in order that they can replace broken glasses; if so, the statutory basis for same; the procedures currently in place between her Department and opticians to ensure that such charges do not fall on the medical card holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10039/06]
View answerThe ophthalmic scheme operated by the Health Service Executive entitles adult medical card holders and their adult dependants to a sight test and spectacles, free of charge, once every two years. The scheme also provides for the replacement of lost or broken spectacles, again at no cost to the client.
As this question appears to relate to a particular individual and to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, the Deputy may wish to raise the matter directly with the HSE.
